We’re delighted to launch our new “Meet the Members” series which profiles our members and the variety of services you’ll find on offer at Donegal Business Network.
This week, we’re profiling #DBN member Alison Hegarty, who is the Branch Manager of EBS, Letterkenny and Donegal Town. Alison has been a member of Donegal Business Network since 2017.
Can you briefly describe your role in EBS?
EBS has been bringing mortgages home since 1935. Our Mortgage Masters are now part of 71 communities all over Ireland; they eat, sleep, and breathe mortgages. A Mortgage Master knows your local area as well as the postman, and they know that one buyer is never quite the same as the next. That local knowledge is invaluable to first time buyers and builders, particuarly if they’re not originally from the area. We also offer Home Insurance, Life Insurance and Investments.
How long have you been a member of DBN and how has membership benefitted you?
I’ve been a member of Donegal Business Network for four years and really enjoy going to the weekly meetings. We’re meeting via Zoom at the minute but the energy from the sessions is still as strong as ever! The most obvious benefits are the increase in footfall and referrals that come my way from other network members. However, I also find having direct access to the members’ professional advice has been invaluable; it’s very useful in terms of shared learning and expertise.
What’s the best piece of business advice you have ever received?
Treat customers the way you would like your family to be treated.
In you’re job, you’re finding Donegal is in demand? Tell us about that?
It sure is. At EBS, we run Mortgage Masterclasses to ease any stress and confusion that may be felt by those buying or building a house for the first time. We recently hosted one dedicated to first-time buyers in the west of Ireland – including Donegal – and we had over 850 registrations for the event. I took part in the panel, and was joined by comedian Eric Lalor, Ronan Lyons, Economist at Trinity College Dublin, Aoibhín Garrihy, a successful entrepreneur and wellness advocate, and TV host and financial planner Eoin McGee. We’re finding that demand is huge at the minute and Donegal is right up there on the list of locations that people want to re-locate to. It’s a really exciting time for the county.
Are there any podcasts / business books that you recommend?
I don’t have as much time as I’d like for reading, but I do always read the business sections and personal finance pages of the newspapers.
And for anyone looking to build or buy, I always recommend the EBS website as a one-stop-shop for all your mortgage advice.
Favourite business motto or words to live by?
Referring a friend, family member or work colleague to EBS is the best compliment you can pay us.
